Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

[southkogs]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

If I might chime in on another angle ... Do you know exactly what kind of boat you would like?

If "yes," then new or used is more your choice. If you've got some experience boating and know you'd like a particular type of boat, buying new may be a fine idea. Especially if you've got the funds, and know you'll use it and take care of it for years to come.

If "no, we've just seen a couple of things we like the idea of," (in other words, y'all are new to boating) then I might suggest that you get something used and a little less expensive to figure things out on.

You can always buy something newer and nicer later, y'know?

 

[Catchad81]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

I disagree with most and have purchased new twice. In 2008, I purchased a left over 2007 Chap 204. My first bowrider. Really enjoyed the boat and after looking at the Sea Ray and Four Winns, never thought I made the wrong decision in regards to the boat. Instead, after a couple of years, I learned the lake we are one will get rough. Plus, more and more friends wanted to ride, especially on the holidays. All something to consider. Sold the Chap last August and believe I got good money out of it for the amount of use on it.

After searching for another boat thoughout the summer and winter, looking at Cobalts as well as Chaps, I ended up with a left over Cobalt at a deal...at least compared to what "most" dealers wanted. I've learned that on first glance, you may think a boat is too big for your needs. When you load it up with people and gear, the space goes quick, as does your shot out of the hole.

Anyway, my 2 cents for what its worth.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

I generally don't see a problem with new boats I just know as a novice boater I wouldn't buy one right now. I like the peace of mind in knowing if I make a rookie mistake worst case scenario I'm only screwing up a $1200 boat right now. Plus this way I am getting good experience learning about boats so when I have a really nice one some day I will know what I'm doing. Also for me I like used boats because I don't have a lot of money and I can get a lot more boat buying used.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

I was a newbie and bought a new boat. Factory order 2008 17 1/2 ft Lund Fisherman. Lots of research beforehand (including this website). Able to make my own deal due to recession (lots of add-ons). Extended warranty no extra charge.

Took safe boating course through Power Squadron before taking delivery of boat. Highly recommend.

Dealer took us out for first splash when we took delivery.

Here's the trick. My wife's older brother is an avid boater and fisherman. He accompanied me on my second outing. Taught me all sorts of good hands-on stuff including secrets of uneventful launching/loading.

Don't worry about first year depreciation, especially if you get a great deal. Plan on keeping it at least five years, so be sure to do lots of research and buy something you absolutely love and will be proud to own.

Treat each outing with utmost caution. If you aren't nervous when you arrive at the ramp, stop and rethink the situation; you might be getting complacent. Be especially cautious in your second year. You might get over confident from an uneventful first year.

Buy a 3-ring binder and keep every receipt you ever get. Create a spreadsheet of maintenance items showing dates, service and costs. It will be invaluable when you sell. Keep your boat stored out of the sun when not in use. Your pride of ownership lasts longer as your boat will still look like new.

Don't try to nickle-dime maintenance costs. You just bought an expensive boat, so expect to pay for it. I take ours to the dealer to have it winterized each fall. Also had them put in new water pump impeller per 3-year maintenance schedule. Look for coupons and specials. Worth it.

Yes, there might be a scrape that first year. Ours came out with rubbing compound. No problems since.

Only one warranty claim on motor so far (faulty latch on engine cowling that was fixed with part on hand). Also had paint issue on hull that was fixed over the winter a year ago under warranty.

Craigslist sometimes has "Want to Buy" ads for our boat model, and current prices for our model year are holding nicely. Again, do your research.

Yep, new boater and bought new. No regrets.

 

[calvinator]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

I like the $8k-$10k used boat with a $5k maintenance budget idea, especially all cash. You'll have a nice rig that is nicely maintained without a huge $$$ committment.

 

[dvtran]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

I knew exactly what I wanted when I bought my new Bayliner. Not the best boat out there on the market, but best bang for your buck. I got a pretty decent deal on it. 22500 plus tax. I searched far and wide for a use one and found plenty of candidates. Anything I wanted was going to cost over 15k so I looked into a new boat. i had 3 different ones lined up . The Bayliner, Sea Ray, Larsen. The Sea Ray was over 30k and the Larsen was 27k. I went with the Bayliner for warranty purposes. Our local shop is a mercruiser dealer. If I owned a house with a decent sized garage to be able to do my own work on a used boat, my thought process would have been different. I am also one of them guys who is very meticulous about keeping things I buy in mint shape. Especially if its new. If you can afford it go new. I put down 10k and financed 15k over 5 years.

 

[jkust]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

My personal opinion is buying a first boat new is comparable to clinical insanity, if you would like I can arrange someone to come over and kick you in the junk instead of you driving that new boat off the dealership floor and loosing 15% of the value of the boat, you make the choice. QUOTE]

I agree and will add buying the 185 Sport Model within the Sea Ray line up is clinical insanity. If there is a more overpriced, under engineered, lower quality boat out there, I would be shocked. Literally a blind man in a show room of boats could find a better new boat for that much money. Even the Sea Ray sales people in the Sea Ray Dealer that does my winterizing calls them the elephant in the showroom. You can't have possibly looked at any other even mediocre brands. As for new vs used, it takes some effort which requires work, but it is common to find nearly new (like under 30 hours two years old), severly depreciated boats purchased by people that underestimated their wantingness and availability to use it plus you get all of their gear for free in the used price. I'm glad some people out there buy new boats but I can't condone the purchase of a Sea Ray 185 Sport, they are that sub-par for the money. Big Sea Rays are great, little ones are not. Some manufacturers treat their small models with the same quality all around as their biggest models and Sea Ray again does not. Sorry to be harsh but I truly can't believe a single new 185 Sport finds its way out the door in any given year for their price.

 

[ddefendi]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

There would be no boats for sale if everyone bought used (someone's gotta buy new)

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

Try traderonline and see if they have any nice used boats within 150 miles from your home. You can easily trailer it home.

If new makes you happy then buy new. I have owned both new & used and I can honestly that I always done better, cash wise selling the used boats than the new ones. I have owned 20 boats so I had a lot of experience, glad to have an understanding wife who likes boating also.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

My present boat in my signature was purchased new by the previous owner for over $40K. I bought it two years later with 70 hours on it for $20K and he threw in his inflatable dinghy, hand held GPS and 4Hp outboard motor. It still had 3 years left on the extended warranty that transferred to me for $50.

Do you have an idea what my advice would be?

My brother got a similar deal on his 26' Formula although he ended up driving to Texas from California to buy it.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

I just went on traderonline and found several great used boats in your price range that looked great. Please do your research.

 

[Martman]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

If you can afford and justify the money on a new boat then why not. DO LOTS OF RESEARCH and find a good boat brand, then make your best deal. your economy is still soft so this may be the best time to buy new. used will always come with issues that cost moneyand time to fix or upgrade.

 

[hillbilly321]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

I agree and will add buying the 185 Sport Model within the Sea Ray line up is clinical insanity. If there is a more overpriced, under engineered, lower quality boat out there, I would be shocked. Literally a blind man in a show room of boats could find a better new boat for that much money.

Really? They have excellent reviews and most owners really like them. I think it could definitely use a walk through transom but other than that it seemed on par or better than other boats I have looked at in that range. What I have noticed about the 185 (at least the one I looked at / priced out) is that it does come standard with allot of features that other manufacturers have as options, so when comparing the base to base price they are more expensive, but once you make them apples to apples they are close.

Honestly, you come across as a Sea Ray basher. I am not a Sea Ray fanboy, but its been the one I looked at that I like best so far. I do also like the Chaparral boats but they are much more expensive. I would have to go the used route on one of those.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

There are a lot of boats that fit into the same price / quality category. Then there are those above and those below. Our local SeaRay dealer is a real %$^*# so I would never buy a SeaRay. But that's another story - it has nothing to do with the boat itself.

We have 2 Stingrays in the family - one 28 years old and the other only 5. Now Stingrays are not considered a high end boat - yet we have had nothing but good luck with both of them.

Last Summer we had the opportunity to spend a week with a friend and he brought his 5 year old SeaRay 18' I/O. I was in the boat every day. That changed my mind about SeaRays for sure (litle ones that is). That boat had loose screws everywhere and it was literally falling apart. But that's not all! The ergonomics were horrendous - from the height of the seat to the visibility through the windshield. When you add poor storage space and quality under the cushions and in the bilge, it was an eye-opener about SeaRay quality.

Going to a boat show and looking at the boats, or even sitting in one won't tell you the whole story. Sit at the helm, move around, pretend you're fishing and look under the surface and that'll provide more insight.

BTW, one of the other dealers in my neighborhood carries Chap. He's a sweetheart and I have been doing business with him for 40+ years. The Chap sticker price is shocking but after his huge discounts and considering the 0 discount (+ addons) at the SeaRay dealer, the 2 are almost the same price.

Look at the Chap again - throw a couple of $100 bills on the table and tell him you want the boat. In this economy if he doesn't come around hes crazy!

 

[AMetzger]

Re: Buy New for First Boat - Good Idea or Not?

It's only April-- you have several more weeks for the boating season to really start. Be patient, pal. 6 weeks is not really a long time to be searching. I was in your same situation several years ago. I finally decided that when I would screw something up (which you will, several times), would I rather do it with a $10k boat or a $28k boat? I chose used. Glad I did for these reasons:

1) Dock rash. I didn't secure the boat properly to a dock I was tied at. Got some nicks in the gel coat.
2) We often boat with a full load of people. I need a bigger engine. I didn't know that when I was first looking. Next boat I buy will have more HP.
3) Left the trim down when retrieving boat at ramp. Drug outdrive 10 feet or so. Lesson learned.
4) Wife ran over large rock with trailer when she parked the tow vehicle when I was at the ramp in the boat. Dented fender on trailer big time. Lesson learned.
5) Bent a prop at an unmarked, in-the-middle-of-the-lake sand bar/rock bar. Lesson learned-- know your surroundings and depth charts no matter where you are in the lake.

I was ANGRY at all of these... but would have been more upset had I spent 3x as much on the boat.

Buy used. Learn. Then buy new.